SEATTLE, WA ~ The Grand Kyiv Ballet culminates its First National US Tour back at home in the Greater Puget Sound area from April 28 – May 3. Four local Performing Arts venues will showcase the timeless ballet masterpiece, GISELLE featuring the mesmerizing talents of the Grand Kyiv Principal dancers Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoianov, both hailing from the National Opera of Ukraine.
The Puget Sound are performances are scheduled as follows:
Sunday, April 28 at 1 pm and 7 pm – Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center
TICKETS: GISELLE - 1:00 PM - Performing Arts and Event Center (fwpaec.org)
Tuesday, April 30 at 7 pm – Edmonds Performing Arts Center – ALMOST SOLD OUT
TICKETS: Giselle by Grand Kyiv Ballet - Calendar of Events | Edmonds Center for the Arts
NEWLY ADDED SHOW:
Thursday, May 2 at 7 pm - Byrnes Performing Arts Center in Arlington
TICKETS: Show Booking (showimpulse.com)
Friday, May 3 at 7 pm – Pantages Theatre in Tacoma
TICKETS: Giselle | Tacoma City Theaters
ABOUT GISELLE:
GISELLE has stood the test of time, captivating global audiences for more than 180 years.
Recognized as one of the greatest dramatic love stories ever told, the ballet recounts the tale of Giselle and the Willis, young unmarried girls betrayed by their lovers who meet their untimely demise. Overwhelmed by sorrow and anger, they transform into the malevolent Willis, seeking retribution and settling scores.
ABOUT PRINCIPAL DANCERS KATERYNA KUKHAR AND OLEKSANDR STOIANOV
Theirs is an incredible story of resilience and inspiration. Principal Dancers Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr (Alex) Stoianov, who now call Seattle their temporary home due to the conflict in Ukraine, were continents away from their two children when the war erupted with no means of returning. They were in France, preparing for their final performance in Menton. Just prior, they had rehearsed GISELLE together, a poignant moment amidst the turmoil unfolding back home. Originally planning to return to Kyiv, their lives were upended when they received news at 5 am of the war's outbreak and bombings.
This resilient couple undertook extraordinary efforts, with the help of friends and family, and worked tirelessly to evacuate their children from Ukraine. Regrettably, not all their relatives could be relocated to a fully secure location, as Kateryna's parents bravely chose to remain in Kyiv, demonstrating unwavering strength in the face of adversity.
In the month that ensued, Alex and Kateryna helped evacuate more than 300 ballet dancers and their families from Ukraine, both students and working artists.
Alex has started four Ballet companies to bring work to many of those dancers and company members displaced from Ukraine.
In a commitment to cultural preservation, Grand Kyiv Ballet is proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds from this event will be directed towards the renovation efforts of the Kyiv State Choreographic College. By attending the performance, audiences not only bear witness to a captivating ballet but also contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this esteemed institution which has nurtured generations of exceptionally talented dancers.
For more information on Grand Kyiv Ballet, visit Grand Kyiv Ballet.
ABOUT THE GRAND KYIV BALLET
This troupe of the Grand Kyiv Ballet, consisting of 35 exceptionally talented dancers from Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa, has been on a global tour, using their art to express deep emotions and concerns arising from recent events in Ukraine.
Despite the challenges, the artists continue to captivate audiences worldwide, having performed at prestigious venues such as the Opera National de Paris, Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, and the National Opera in Oslo. Their performances attract royal families, politicians, and celebrities, serving as a powerful testament to the universal language of art. While artists from other nations have joined their troupe, the essence of the Grand Kyiv Ballet remains rooted in the spirit and resilience of Ukrainian artists.
